THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT | DECEMBER 3, 2017

THE CHURCH OF SAINT MARK | www.saintmark-mn.org

Cover Photo: Detail from The Last Judgment, God’s Hands, Church of Saint Mark. Photo Credit: Rory Cravillion

Happy Birthday Fr. Humberto | We wish our beloved Pastor a happy birthday and give thanks for him and his service to our parish family. Please keep him in your prayers.

Retirement Fund for Religious | The annual collection is December 9th and 10th and envelopes will be in the back of the church. Your donation helps provide medication, nursing care and more for thousands of senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. Please give to those who have given a lifetime of service to the church.

UPCOMING EVENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TUE05

DEC

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SAT09

DEC

Young Adults Advent Half Day Retreat|9 AM-1PM|Parish CenterExplore tough moral issues and how how to apply our previous study on Theology of the Body. Includes: Small group discussion, Mass, adoration, confession, and lunch. RSVP to youngadults@saintmark-mn.org

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

Bible Study|7-8:30 PM PM| Carolyn HallThe fall bible study, from Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire, showcases saints, artists, mystics, and scholars who shaped the life of the church and changed the course of western civilization. The study has begun, but walk-ins are welcome.

Date Night for Young Couples|4:30 PM|See pg 6Join us for the fi rst date night for young couples, put on by the HDR for Young Couples ministry. The night includes a service project and dinner with other newly engaged or married couples. See pg. 6 for details.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM|7 AM, 10 AM, and 7 PM| ChurchCelebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a Holy Day of Obligation.

FRI08

DEC

FRI15

DEC

CCW Christmas Boutique|1-5 PM| Carolyn HallCome purchase your homemade Christmas cookies, candies, decorations, and gifts. The boutique will be December 15th-17th, with donations being accepted December 15th and 16th. Details to come.

Lessons & Carols | Sunday, Dec 10 |3-4 PMEnjoy a tranquil hour of beautiful scripture and music as we contemplate the second coming of the Lord and prepare our hearts for Christmas.

Emmaus | Friday, Dec 15 | 7-8:30 PMAdoration, praise & worship music, confession, and fellow-ship to follow.

Fourth Sunday of Advent | Sunday, Dec 24Regular 9 and 11 AM Masses. No 5 PM Sunday due to Christmas Eve falling on the same day. Both the fourth Sun-day of Advent and Christmas are Holy Days of Obligation.

Nativity of Our Lord Sunday, Dec 24 at 4:30 PM (Vigil Mass)Monday, Dec 25 at Midnight and 10 AM (carols at 11:30 PM)

Feast of the Holy Family | Sunday, Dec 31Regular 9 AM, 11 AM, and 5 PM Masses

Solemnity of Mary | Monday, Jan 1 10 AM Mass

*Each Sunday in Advent, Night Prayer (Compline) will be sung at 9 PM in the adoration chapel. It is the fi nal hour of the Divine Offi ce, prayed before bed.

Today we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent and prepare our hearts for the coming of Our Lord. We re-member His fi rst coming, the Incar-nation and the life of Our Lord on earth, so that our hearts will be pre-pared for His second coming, at the end of time. St. Augustine said, “Let

us not resist the fi rst coming, so that we may not dread the second.” Today, I’d like to refl ect on the ways in which we can more perfectly welcome the fi rst coming of Jesus, allowing it to do its work in our souls, so that we will be better prepared for the second coming of Our Lord.

Living as Though…

Our Gospel for today exhorts us, “Be watchful! Be alert!” [Mk 13: 33] St. Paul gives us some good advice for how to do that. He says to the early Christians, “I tell you, brothers, the time is running out. From now on, let those having wives act as not having them, those weeping as not weeping, those rejoicing as not rejoicing, those buy-ing as not owning, those using the world as not using it fully. For the world in its present form is passing away.” [1 Cor 7: 29-31] He suggests to us that, though we live in this world, going to work, taking care of our families, purchasing and selling and doing the normal things of daily life, we should live as though we are already in an-other world and the second coming is here.

The early Christians didn’t live waiting for the future to happen. They lived intent on letting God build His Kingdom through them today…in this world. Their lives were dedicated to bringing His Kingdom into the present moment. They lived what they prayed…” Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Their life was an effort to bring the two worlds together…par-allel lines meeting…with no separation between one and the other.

They didn’t do this just by hard work (preaching and building churches), they did it in imitation of Christ, saying to the souls entrusted to them, “All that I have

is yours.” [Lk 15: 31] They gave themselves away, doing their best to empty themselves for the sake of the other. As the Prophet Joel said, “Let the weak man say, ‘I am a warrior!” [Joel 3: 10] To welcome the fi rst coming means to let our hearts be transformed, so that we can say “yes” with Mary and become an oblation for souls...be spent as a warrior for the sake of love.

The Joy of Giving

To live as a gift is to live full of joy. The early Christians were persecuted and driven into hiding and yet they were a people of deep joy. Even when Paul and Barnabas were thrown out of the towns in which they preached, they and the other disciples of Jesus “were fi lled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” [Acts 13: 52] These early followers of Christ lived intimately aware of the power of His resur-rection and full of confi dence in its fruitfulness in their own lives.

God gave them the gift of experiencing their need and their weakness and they lived their daily lives dependent on Him for everything. We read that they “devoted them-selves to the teaching of the apostles and to the commu-nal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. [Acts 2: 42] They depended in a daily way on prayer and the sacraments to make their “yes” possible. They knew that welcoming the fi rst coming into their hearts wasn’t a sweet Christmas card scene…that from the beginning, Christ’s life was a challenge to the world. From the begin-ning, it called them to conversion and was a preparation for the second coming.

Let us spend our Advent ready to welcome Christ in His fi rst coming, attentive to the ways in which He calls us to deeper conversion, so that we will long for His second coming with the heart of the Prophet Isaiah: “Why do you let us wander, O Lord, from your ways and harden our hearts so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants…Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you…” [Is 63: 17, 19]

Welcoming The First Coming

Fr. Humberto Palomino, PES, Pastor

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From my very fi rst day at Saint Mark’s as Par-ish Business Manager, I have been experiencing what I can only describe as a profound change in thinking about ba-sic business philosophy. Managing fi nances, proj-ects and people has al-

ways seemed to be a very concrete and sequential series of processes. However, working here has led me to view the very nature of this work with fresh eyes and a new perspective.

While I have faithfully prayed for the wisdom that only my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can provide, it is only now that I have become aware of His loving hand on everything no matter how seemingly trivial.

The start of this transformation occurred when I was called to fi ll in as a money counter. The process began as always, sorting loose checks, money and envelopes. During this process, I came upon an envelope with a few coins in it. My fi rst reaction was that this was the offering of a child whose faithful parent(s) had taught the spiri-tual value of tithing. I was immediately struck with the enormity of this. This was not a mere business transac-tion. These coins came to the Church of Saint Mark with hope, prayer, faithful conviction and sacrifi ce. The Lord had put them in our hands to do His work, to serve His people and bring everyone to know and love His Son, Jesus Christ. So, ever mindful of this, I pray many times each day for the strength and wisdom to carry out His intended purpose and for all those at Saint Mark’s He has entrusted to do the same.

- Joseph Juaire, Parish Business Manager

PARISH MISSION

Strong Family Story: The First of Many Epiphanies

“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come.” - MK 13:33We all take things for granted, time in particular. Our lives are busy, many of us plan (days, weeks, months, even years) in advance. Remember, our time on earth is a gift. Begin today thanking God. Take time in silence, every day and listen to what God is saying to you.

The faithful steward’s response begins with gratitude and ends with giving of one’s time (spent in prayer), talent (service in our many parish ministries), and treasure (giv-en to support the mission of the Church within the par-ish and through other charitable organizations).

JoinThe fi rst step of faithful stewardship is belonging to our parish family. To become a registered member, go to saintmark-mn.org and click “Join Saint Mark’s” on the left sidebar, or call or visit the Parish Center.

PrayEstablish a daily habit of prayer, including in your inten-tions the mission and members of the parish. Pray with other members of the parish at daily Mass and Rosary, Eucharistic adoration, or other prayer ministries.

ServeGet involved in a parish ministry in order to put your tal-ents at the service of our parish mission. Visit the parish website for a list of opportunities.

SupportBe generous with the fruits of your labors in supporting the work of the Church. Sign up for e-offertory at www.saintmark-mn.org and click “Online Donation”.

STRONG FAMILY STEWARDSHIP

ONE STRONG FAMILY UNITED IN CHRIST

Our mission at the Church of Saint Mark is to invite all to grow in holiness, forming one strong family united in Christ. We are committed to evangelization through the sacred liturgy, apostolic outreach, service to our community, and vigorous Catholic education.

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ADORATION & PRAYER

FORMATION OPPORTUNITES

RCIAEncounter

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Interested in becoming Catholic or learning about the faith? RCIA is an opportunity for adults who are not baptized, baptized in another faith, or Catholics seeking to receive Eucharist or Confi rmation to learn about Christ, His teachings, and the beliefs, traditions, and history of the Catholic faith. Please contact rcia@saintmark-mn.org for more in-fomation.

YOUTH FAITH FORMATIONWed Faith Formation - Saint Nicholas Day Party for K-6 kids with their parents. Wednesday, December 6th 6:30-7:30 PM. Even if not a regular Wednesday night for-mation participant, you are invited to learn about historic St. Nicholas, make Advent crafts, and enjoy season songs and treats. Please RSVP to kwehr@saintmark-mn.org

Confi rmation Families - Mark Your Calendars: two optional opportunities to fulfi ll our class goal of addressing the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy: Sunday, Dec 10th (2:30-4:15 PM): Instead of class, usher and collect winter donations at Lessons and Carols.Saturday, Jan 6th (4:30-6:30 PM): Feed My Starving Chil-dren food packing in Eagan, some parent volunteers needed too. Contact kwehr@saintmark-mn.org.

7 AM 10 AMM: +Poor Souls of Purgatory +Shirley ClasenT: +Steve Scherman +Donny CurranW: +Shirley Clasen +Milton SchmidtR: +John Hughes Br. Joesph Barron, PESF: Paige Roff +Benedicta HernandezS: +Shirley Clasen (8 AM)

“From the Eucharist comes strength to live the Christian life and zeal to share that life with others.” - St. John Paul II

Our goal is to have at least two adorers every hour the chap-el is open, Monday 11AM-Saturday 8 AM. Please consider committing to one hour a week with the Blessed Sacrament. Visit www.saintmark-mn.org/adoration or contact adora-tion@saintmark-mn.org to sign up or with questions.

The following hours have no adorers: Thu at 1 AM and 3 PM; Fridays at 2 AM. Know someone in need of prayer? Email your request to

parishcenter@saintmark-mn.org to have it added to the prayer chain.

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Mass Intentions Dec. 4-9

FORMED, an online platform, provides access to the best Catholic audio talks, movies, ebooks, and video-based studies from providers like Augustine Institute, Ignatius Press, Catholic Answers, and more - right at your fi ngertips!

Recommended Content for upcoming Feast Days:

Immaculate Conception of the BVM (December 8)Study: The Bible and the Virgin Mary, Lesson 4: The New EveListen: Answering Common Objections: Mary

St. Juan Diego (December 9)Watch: Guadalupe: The Miracle and MessageListen: Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego

Sign up for FREE at formed.org using parish code: XPDYVT

Man, Woman, and the Order of CreationMonday, Dec 11 from 7:30-9:00 PMUniversity of St. ThomasThis event will explore the Catholic vision of the human per-son in its scientifi c, theological, and social context. The event is free, but registration is required as tickets are needed for entrance. Please visit stthomas.edu/spssod/about/events or call Dr. Deborah Savage at (651) 962-5061 for more information.

Brent and I joined Saint Mark’s in January of 2016 after a recommendation from a friend who worked at the Archdiocese. Upon attending Mass we were impressed with the friend-ly faces and the reverence given to the Eucharist. We knew that this was a place that we could call home.We joined a bible study

and at that time we became engaged and started our mar-riage preparations.

It was then that we found the Half Day Retreats and were excited to meet other young people in the parish who were engaged or newly married. On November 26, 2016 we were joined as one in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony by Fa-ther Adam, (it was his fi rst wedding!) We continued to at-

tend the Half Day Retreats as well as many other events to continue to build on our Catholic friendships. As our baby Philomena was baptized on October 28th, 2017 we refl ected on our journey at Saint Mark’s and what it had become; a faith community where we are loved and welcomed as we live out our vocation as husband and wife, a place where we can raise our family.

As we were welcomed into Saint Mark’s family, we too want to invite any and all engaged and newly married couples to come check out our Date Night event on December 9th! Call or text Brent and I at 507-676-1593 with questions.

-Adreianna Vyvyan

Ministry Spotlight: HDR For Young Couples Introduces Date NightsMINISTRIES

MINISTRY NEEDS

Four Wednesday Night Catechists Needed. Our Wed Faith Formation is growing and we need more leaders, espe-cillay in January, since two of our leaders are UST December graduates. Are you able to help?*1 female to co-lead 7-8th grade Decision Point Study*2 discussion group leaders for elementary*1 fl oater to assist with K-6 large group activity and storiesEmail Katy Wehr, Faith Formation Coordinator: kwehr@saint-mark-mn.org

Hat and Mitten Drive. Saint Mark’s confi rmation class is hosting a drive to benefi t Sharing and Caring Hands as they learn about the corporal works of mercy. All sizes, new or gently used, handmade, all winter wear accepted. There will be two collection opportunties:Sunday, December 10th at Lessons and Carols, 3PM at the church doors. Monday and Tuesday, December 11-12th at the school. Col-lection will be at the main offi ce and preschool offi ce.

MARKER’S CORNER

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Give to the Max Day was another big success for Saint Mark’s School! Thank you to the many parishioners who have held us up in prayer and who gave so generously to help us reach our one-day goal of $25,000. We matched $12,500 and still have another $7,500 in matching dollars leading up to the end of 2017, so we remain enthused about our development ef-forts this year. Thank you!

- Principal Zach Zeckser

Date Night Schedule:

Packing meals at Feed My Starving Children 4:30-6:30 PM990 Loan Oak Rd, Suite 136, Eagan, MN

Follwed by dinner and drinks at Bad Weather Brewing Co.414 Seventh Street W, St. Paul, MN

STAFF CELEBRATIONS

SACRAMENTS

PRO ECCLESIA SANCTA

Clergy:Fr. Humberto Palomino, PES................................................. Pastorfrhumberto@saintmark-mn.org

Fr. Alvaro Perez, PES ............................................ Associate Pastorfralvaro@saintmark-mn.org

Fr. Adam Tokashiki, PES.................................. Priest in Residencefradam@saintmark-mn.org

Parish Staff:Joseph Juaire.............................................. Parish Business ManagerJudy Miske............................................... Pastoral Care CoordinatorKaty Wehr......................................... Faith Formation CoordinatorSr. Fabiola Valdeiglesias, PES.................................. Youth MinisterBr. David Hottinger, PES.............................. MC; Coordinator of Ministries & MissionCindy Holupchinski............................................. Director of MusicRory Cravillion..................................... Organist; Website ManagerPatricia Hartshorn........................ Volunteer Liturgy CoordinatorAlice Chalupsky................ Parish Facilities & Virtus CoordinatorTamara Titsworth.............. Administrative & Financial Assistant

Parish ContactPhone (651) 645-5717Fax (651) 644-0011parishcenter@saintmark-mn.org

Parish Center HoursMonday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMThe PC is closed on the First Friday of each month.

Bulletin submissions are due 12 days before the Sunday publi-cation. Content to submissions@saintmark-mn.org

Parish Trustees:Robert Blackstone Jeannine Kessler

Parish Pastoral Council:Andrew Nowak, Chair

Parish Finance Committee:Pat Shrake, Chair

Saint Mark’s Catholic School (651) 644-3380Zach Zeckser............................................................. School PrincipalEmily Overhaug................................................... Assistant PrincipalBrigid Kostka...................................................... Offi ce Coordinatorschooloffi ce@markerspride.com

Preschool & Extended Day Care (651) 644-5030

School Advisory Committee: Amy Stich Co-chairSteve Rahn Co-chair

Mass:Saturday Evening Mass: 5 PMSunday Mass: 9 AM, 11 AM, 5 PM (Latin Novus Ordo)Daily Mass:Monday-Friday: 7 AM & 10 AMSaturday: 8 AMConfession:Saturday: 3:30-4:30 PMSunday: 8:30-9 AM, 10:30-11 AM, 4:30-5 PMRosary: 6:30 PM Mondays May through Oct (except holidays) and daily after 10 AM Mass (except school and funeral Masses)Divine Mercy Chaplet: 3 PM daily in St. Mary’s Adoration Chapel

The Church of Saint Mark is served by the priests, brothers, and sisters of Pro Ecclesia Sancta, which is an institute of consecrated life founded in Lima, Peru in 1992, whose members dedicate themselves to living and promoting the universal call to holiness in

the Church. Their motto is ad maximam trinitatis gloriam: Every-thing “for the greatest glory of the Holy Trinity.”

Baptisms & Baptism Preparation: Please call the Parish Center to arrange.

Weddings: Marriage preparation must begin at least six months prior to your wedding date. Call the Parish Center to arrange.

At the Church of Saint Mark, all are welcomed and encouraged to respond to the universal summons of the Gospel and to enter com-munion with God through Jesus Christ, in His Catholic Church. Nevertheless, because the Holy Eucharist is the real Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, the reception of Holy Communion is reserved to those Catholics who are in full moral and doctrinal communition with the Catholic Church, are not conscious of any grave unconfessed sin, and who have kept the Eucharistic fast of one hour.

CONNECT

Church of Saint Mark

@churchofsaintmark

@SaintMarkMN

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